Aberdeen set up Sporting clash as Motherwell squeak through

Aberdeen set up a third round tie against Sporting in Lisbon after they beat Viking 2-0 in their Europa League qualifier while Motherwell beat Coleraine on penalties to progress.

The Dons took the lead in Norway when Ross McCrorie scored with a low drive just before half-time.

Both sides had chances throughout but Aberdeen made sure of progress when Ryan Hedges scored direct from a corner with 12 minutes to go.

Motherwell were favourites to beat Coleraine and were living up to their billing when they went ahead through Callum Lang.

Tony Watt doubled the Steelmen’s lead after 37 minutes with a low shot past Gareth Deane.

Coleraine bonced back after the break though. Mark O’Hara brought Ben Doherty down in the box and he picked himself up before scoring from the spot.

The hosts pressed for an equaliser and were rewarded with late drama. Bevis Mugabi fouled Eoin Bradley and after the Motherwell defender was sent off, Doherty netted his second penalty of the night.

That brought eextra time and, when neither side coudl find a winner, penalties.

Northern Ireland’s Trevor Carson was the Motherwell hero on his return home as he saved three spot kicks in the shoot-out and his side go on to face Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the next round.